The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has called on the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) to lead an urgent investigation into the deaths of 15 elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem, suspected to have been caused by cyanide-contaminated farm pesticides.
KWS Director General Erustus Kanga confirmed that preliminary laboratory tests on samples from the elephant carcasses detected substances consistent with cyanide poisoning. The fatalities occurred between June 24 and July 24 across Amboseli National Park, Kimana Sanctuary, and Kuku Ranch.
Most affected were adult female elephants and their calves, with symptoms including partial paralysis and death within one to two days. Five carcasses were too decomposed for conclusive analysis.
Following the initial reports, KWS deployed veterinarians from Nairobi, Tsavo, and Amboseli to conduct postmortems and collect toxicological samples. These were sent to the University of Nairobi, the Government Chemist, and other specialized labs for further analysis.
While the University of Nairobi found potentially toxic substances, further quantitative tests are ongoing. The Government Chemist’s initial screenings did not detect the suspected toxins but continues to analyze for other possible contaminants. Environmental samples from water sources and surrounding areas are also being examined to identify a common contamination source.
Surveillance efforts have been intensified to monitor elephant health and prevent further fatalities. The PCPB, as the regulatory authority for pesticides in Kenya, will coordinate a multi-agency team to trace the origin of the toxic chemicals and hold responsible parties accountable.
Context and Conservation Impact
Amboseli National Park, located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, hosts one of Africa’s most studied elephant populations. The recent deaths come amid ongoing discussions about transferring park management to Kajiado County authorities.
Kenya’s elephant population rose from 36,280 in 2021 to 41,952 in 2025, according to the Wildlife Research and Training Institute's national census, thanks to enhanced anti-poaching and habitat protection efforts. Elephants are vital to Kenya’s tourism and ecological balance, playing key roles in seed dispersal and habitat maintenance.
Despite progress, threats such as human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss, and poisoning remain critical challenges. The investigation aims to clarify the role of agricultural chemicals in these deaths and recommend measures to prevent recurrence.
